Album Reviews
After winning me over completely with their “Heart Attack” EP just a couple of months ago, Scotland’s The Pooches are back already with their very first full-length. It’s a self-titled affair and just like the four songs that made up the EP, these ten songs are completely endearing, charming and just all kinds of good stuff.
Both the jangly guitar lines and Jimmy Hindle’s vocals are as easygoing as things get and all of the tracks come with the kind of melodies that could be found all over sixties pop songs. Comparisons that come to mind are Teenage Fanclub or a less elaborate version of Belle & Sebastian. Both of which happen to be from Glasgow as well coincidentally. Or maybe not so coincidental. Maybe there’s something in the Glaswegian water.
Juxtaposed against the upbeat tunes, are lyrics that on closer inspection aren’t quite as happy go lucky as the songs would suggest. Take “Everything” for example, one of the album’s standout songs that deals with emotional confinement. It’s that combination of bitter and sweet that makes this album even better than it already is when listened to only superficially.
Other highlights include opening track “Heart Attack” (which could already be found on the EP), the punchy 37-seconds long “Japan” or “Another Evening, Another Town”, which boasts the album’s best chorus. But honestly, every single song on here is an absolute pleasure to listen to.
Track listing:
- Heart Attack
- I'll Be Gone
- Another Evening, Another Town
- Japan
- The Light
- New Years
- I Don't Eat Cake
- Everything
- Be Not So Fearful
- Mulligan
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
